Hi! Is there an easy way to release these brakes in order to remove the tire? Thank you. They are Tektro long-reach calipers. I just bought this bike and I'm dreading having to readjust the brakes just to remove the tire!
by coevaluhren
Hi! Is there an easy way to release these brakes in order to remove the tire? Thank you. They are Tektro long-reach calipers. I just bought this bike and I'm dreading having to readjust the brakes just to remove the tire!
by coevaluhren
14 Comments
Tbh just loosen the cable (very uneducated mechanic here)
Might be able to get the wheel out if you deflate the tire.
Unscrew that hex bolt. You also might check your brake levers. This bike may come with a little swivel mounted spacer inline with the cable housing that releases cable tension.
I usually let all the air out of the tubes and pinch the tire.
you could unclamp the cable, back the barrel adjuster almost all the way out, and re-tension the cable so screwing the barrel adjuster all the way in might give you enough purchase without deflating the tire
Double check on the hand levers. Sometimes they have a button or other device to let out some slack.
Does it have upright bars? You probably can release the cable from the brake levers. I worked on some bikes like that recently, wasn’t too happy about it, but at least I didn’t have to adjust the brakes or fill the tires afterwards.
Here are the hand levers. Should have posted this originally. Thanks for all the comments!
https://preview.redd.it/1op9c71pkcbf1.jpeg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a8b80d4bb830d674cfcce16e3c75822b0066f783
Seriously letting the air out is the right answer for this guy & what he specifically asked.
Right?
I agree that this is the easiest way. Thanks to all!
With those kind of brakes, the original brake levers had a stop, either a button on the side or a latch of sorts at the front. Push that in (either lever or latch) and you get additional slack in the cable and the brake opens up.
If there’s no quick release mechanism one the brake calliper and it looks like there’s not one there by the picture, have a look at the side /top of the brake lever for a button. Otherwise loosen the cable clamp nut on the brake calliper just to slip the cable and open up the brake pads enough to get the wheel out.
If there is no quick release function on the lever then you should deflate the tyre to remove the wheel. Don’t loosen and re clamp the cable, it will get progressively more damaged to the point of failure.
Winding the barrel adjuster way out before re clamping the cable will give you a bit of leeway but then you’ll lose the ability to adjust for pad wear so if you use your bike regularly it’s not a great option.
Some bikes are just not set up with sensible convenience in mind (thinking also of you here, internally cable routed stems)
There is no quick release on this type of brake. The easiest thing to do is deflate the tire.